Ralph Wayne Poling, 77, a resident of Route 4, Philippi, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, in the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg.
He was born Jan. 14, 1925, at Philippi, a son of the late Opha D. and Ora Mae Bosley Poling.
His wife of 57 years, the former Elwanda Hill, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Peggy J. Poling; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Richard W. Poling and wife, Janet C., Jeff L. Poling and J. Bruce Poling and wife, Denise; three brothers, Warren D. Poling, John C. Poling and James L. Poling; seven grandchildren, Ryan Scott Poling, Christopher Roth Poling, Colleen Poling, Megan Poling, Aaron Trent, Shane Trent and Erica Trent; and loving pets, Wymer-dog, Tachie Marie, Digger-mcCall and Newton-parrot.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Juanita Flint.
Mr. Poling was proprietor of Ralph’s Country Store on U.S. Route 250. He served as staff sergeant of the 376 Bomber Group of the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a top touret gunner on a B-24 Liberator. He was shot down becoming a MIA/pOW in Romania. He was awarded the Purple Heart and four Bronze Stars for good conduct. He was a member of the VFW Post 410 of Belington, American Legion Post 44 of Philippi and a member of Barbour Church of Christ.
There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery at Pruntytown with Richard Poling and Evangelist Stan Jenkins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ralph Poling Memorial Fund, in care of the Barbour County Bank to benefit the Clarksburg VA Medical Center. Wright Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
